Program Manager, China Office
Pacific Environment
Company Overview
Pacific Environment
San Francisco, CA, United States
1987
Approximately 60 employees (source: pacificenvironment.org).
What They Do
Pacific Environment is a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization dedicated to climate protection, marine conservation, and anti-pollution campaigns across the Pacific Rim. Founded in 1987, it has evolved from publishing scientific articles to becoming a significant network-builder, partnering with over 150 grassroots allies to achieve impactful policy wins. These include protecting tens of thousands of acres of old-growth forest and influencing global governance institutions (source: pacificenvironment.org). The organization focuses on high-emission industries such as maritime shipping and petrochemicals, advocating for zero-carbon shipping by 2040 and promoting marine protected areas under the 30x30 Initiative, which aims for 30% global protection by 2030 (source: pacificenvironment.org). It does not offer commercial products but provides essential services like policy advocacy at international bodies, coalition-building, and grassroots organizing (source: sec.gov). The target markets include Pacific Rim communities, ecosystems, and policymakers, focusing on coastal populations and Indigenous groups rather than corporate clients (source: pacificenvironment.org). Its unique position as a connector in the environmental advocacy space is bolstered by its consultative status with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and its emphasis on regulatory wins over hardware development (source: sec.gov).
Projects & Track Record
Pacific Environment has achieved notable successes in environmental advocacy, including co-founding the Clean Up Carnival coalition in 2018, which successfully delivered 100,000 signatures to pressure Carnival, a major player in the global cruise market, to end the use of heavy fuel oil in the Arctic. The organization has also played a crucial role in advancing Arctic shipping regulations at the IMO, addressing issues such as black carbon emissions and wastewater management (source: pacificenvironment.org). Other significant accomplishments include closing polluting factories and protecting vast areas of forest, demonstrating its commitment to environmental preservation and advocacy (source: pacificenvironment.org). Ongoing efforts focus on zero-emission shipping campaigns, marine protected areas in Southeast Asia, and plastic pollution reduction initiatives in Vietnam and China, showcasing the organization's proactive approach to pressing environmental issues (source: pacificenvironment.org). Additionally, it has highlighted innovative projects such as the world's first hydrogen-powered passenger ferry, Sea Change, which launched in San Francisco, further emphasizing its commitment to sustainable solutions (source: pacificenvironment.org).
Recent Developments
In recent years, Pacific Environment has seen significant leadership changes and developments. Shannon Wright was appointed as the new Executive Director in January 2024, succeeding Alex Levinson, who led the organization for over a decade and left it in a strong financial position (source: pacificenvironment.org). The organization submitted a comment to the U.S. SEC in June 2022, urging for comprehensive emissions disclosures, reflecting its commitment to transparency and accountability in environmental advocacy (source: sec.gov). Additionally, the promotion of the Sea Change hydrogen ferry launch on July 12, 2024, marks a significant milestone in its advocacy for innovative and sustainable maritime solutions (source: pacificenvironment.org). While there have been no reported acquisitions or mergers, the board has noted the organization's strong financial health, which is crucial for its ongoing advocacy efforts (source: pacificenvironment.org).
Working There
Pacific Environment offers a range of roles across various departments, including advocacy, policy, and operations. Positions are available in areas such as Federal Climate Policy, international programs focusing on the Arctic and Asia, communications, and development/fundraising (source: sec.gov). The organization seeks individuals with backgrounds in environmental law, campaign management, scientific research, and grassroots organizing, reflecting its commitment to diverse expertise in environmental advocacy (source: pacificenvironment.org). Job openings are primarily located at its San Francisco headquarters, as well as in Anchorage, Chongqing, Los Angeles, and remote positions aligned with Pacific Rim initiatives (source: pacificenvironment.org). The organizational culture emphasizes collaboration, justice, and systemic change, fostering an environment where emotional intelligence and international activism are valued (source: pacificenvironment.org). While specific benefits are not detailed, the organization's strong financial position suggests competitive compensation packages typical for nonprofits, including health insurance and paid time off (source: pacificenvironment.org).
Last updated on Feb 23, 2026 | Report an issue
Pacific Environment works to stop climate change and ensure healthy ecosystems around the Pacific Rim for the benefit of people and our planet. For more than forty years, we have worked in alliance with locally-led initiatives and catalyzed game-changing policy wins for the region's peoples, ecosystems and climate.
As home to many of the planet's most biologically diverse and ecologically significant ecosystems, the Pacific Rim is a global priority for environmental action. We work to center local and environmental justice organizations to drive this urgent change.
Strategically, Pacific Environment advances an integrated approach, working from the local to global levels to tackle our region's most pressing environmental problems and implement transformative solutions.
Position
We are seeking a strategic, self-motivated China Shipping Program Manager to lead and coordinate Pacific Environment China's work on green shipping transition in China. This role will help identify strategic opportunities for Pacific Environment to support shipping decarbonization in China and translate strategy into practical project implementation.
The China Shipping Program Manager will work closely with Pacific Environment colleagues, industry stakeholders, government-related partners, enterprises and grassroots NGO partners to maintain close communication, understand partner needs and continuously improve the project strategy.
This position reports directly to China Regional Director Deng Ping and works closely with the Climate Campaign Director, Asia, to implement joint work plans.
Location and travel
This position is based in mainland China and requires working China/Asia time zone hours, with a preference for candidates located in Shanghai. The position will involve domestic travel and may involve international travel.
Responsibilities
- Lead overall planning for Pacific Environment China's shipping/climate project, monitor sector, policy and stakeholder developments, plus identify strategic entry points to advance green shipping transition in China.
- Coordinate project team members and collaborators, allocate tasks, track timelines and deliverables, supervise implementation progress and help address issues during execution.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with government-related stakeholders, industry actors, enterprises, NGOs and partners to jointly advance green shipping transition.
- Work closely with grassroots NGO partners to understand their needs, support strategic discussions, organize learning exchanges and workshops, and strengthen partner capacity when needed.
- Manage project grants with team member support, including partner coordination, implementation tracking, reporting support and risk management.
- Organize and facilitate discussions, workshops, meetings and partner convenings related to shipping transition.
- Support policy analysis, sector research, partner mapping and strategic briefings related to shipping decarbonization, green supply chains and transportation transition.
- Other tasks as determined by the China Regional Director and Climate Program leadership.
Key qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- Relevant experience in industrial transition, transportation, green supply chain, shipping decarbonization, climate, energy transition, or related fields is a plus.
- Demonstrated ability or strong interest in facilitating strategic discussions and organizing workshops and meetings.
- Good project management and coordination skills, including the ability to coordinate teams, assign tasks, track progress and address implementation issues.
- Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to identify leverage points in China's green shipping transition and develop work approaches that fit Pacific Environment's strengths.
- Experience in industry advocacy, campaign work or policy engagement in international organizations is preferred.
- Experience working with domestic NGOs or grassroots partners is preferred.
- Strong learning ability and self-motivation; able to quickly learn new issues and work with partners in a humble and responsive way.
- Excellent Chinese communication skills.
- English proficiency, including the ability to conduct everyday business and research in English.
- Ability to work independently, complete challenging tasks under tight deadlines and travel domestically and internationally as needed.
Relevant experience for this position can take many forms and we strongly encourage applicants from a diversity of backgrounds.
Compensation and benefits
The anticipated salary range is benchmarked against Pacific Environment's manager-level salary range. The final title, level and offer will be based on the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience. Pacific Environment provides compensation commensurate with experience and equitable with others on our team, plus a full benefits package for staff positions. The employee will enjoy a flexible working environment with a dedicated, diverse group of colleagues.
Physical requirements
The China Shipping Program Manager role involves remaining in a stationary position and looking at a computer for long stretches of time, communicating with co-workers electronically, and participating in frequent travel, including overnight travel, in-person meetings, or events. The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
The ideal candidate will be able to work from home and manage the work from long distance.
Pacific Environment is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people from communities harmed by environmental degradation and from backgrounds underrepresented in the environmental movement to apply. We welcome diversity to do our best work and believe that creating teams in which everyone can be their authentic self is key to the change we seek.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Pacific Environment. Please inform our HR team by emailing [email protected] if you need any assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application or interview process.
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Job expired?Please let Pacific Environment know you found this job on Rejobs. It helps us grow and get more people working in renewable energy.
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About the role
June 4, 2026
Full time
Non-profit
- Shanghai, China
Relevant experience in related fields is preferred.
UTC+08:00